Commencing in January, for the first half of 2013, Ireland‘s Presidency of the Council of The European Union provides a fantastic opportunity for Ireland to yet again punch above its weight in the eyes of China‘s leaders and media.

Moreover, EU-China -related summits in Ireland will provide Europeans with their first real chance to measure the mind-set of China‘s new leadership towards its biggest trading partner.

Hopefully the relevant agencies Tourism Ireland, Bord Bia, Enterprise Ireland, Industrial Development Authority of Ireland (IDA), etc., have given due consideration to the huge marketing potential this unique six month long occurrence offers.

Following on from a very successful trip to Ireland in February 2012 by the incumbent General Secretary of the Communist Party of China, China’s paramount leader Xi JinPing, expect an enduring stream of visits by Chinese leaders and media to our shores, wowed by loads of Irish hospitality (whether a caman, sliotar, bodhran, uilleann pipes, Irish coffee, Guinness, visits to Irish farms), intertwined with stunning rustic backdrops, a clear understanding of what Ireland has to offer as world-class centre of excellence in sciences, software and telecoms, financial and education services, and in terms of investment and Euro Zone access opportunities for Chinese companies: All aimed at ensuring their visits to Ireland will be in their minds for a very long time when they return home to China.